Remount And Veterinary Corps Makes Historic Republic Day Debut

The Indian Army’s Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) is set to create history at the Republic Day parade with a specially curated animal contingent and, for the first time in its 247-year legacy, a woman officer leading the march. The moment highlights the Corps’ enduring operational relevance and evolving identity within the armed forces.

Role And Legacy Of The Remount And Veterinary Corps

The Remount and Veterinary Corps is a specialised arm of the Indian Army tasked with breeding, training, and maintaining Army animals such as horses, mules, camels, and dogs. It ensures their operational readiness for logistics, reconnaissance, combat support, and counter-terrorism, particularly in high-altitude and inhospitable terrain. The Corps traces its origins to the Stud Department set up in Bengal in 1779 and was formally designated as the RVC in 1960. Its motto, “Pashu Seva Asmakam Dharma”, reflects its core ethos.

Historic Leadership By A Woman Officer

This year’s contingent will be led by Captain Harshita Raghav, one of the first women officers inducted into the RVC in 2023. Her leadership marks a significant milestone in gender integration within one of the Indian Army’s oldest Corps. Officers in the RVC are commissioned as Short Service Commissioned officers after specialised veterinary training, reflecting the Corps’ unique professional profile.

Animals Showcasing Operational Capabilities

The Republic Day contingent will feature Bactrian camels inducted for logistics and patrol duties in the cold deserts of Ladakh, capable of operating above 15,000 feet. Indigenous Zanskar ponies, known for endurance in sub-zero Himalayan regions including Siachen, will follow. Army dogs, trained for explosive detection, tracking, combat, and disaster rescue, will form the rear. The contingent will also include raptors, underlining the Corps’ diverse animal capabilities.

Important Facts for Exams

• The RVC was awarded the President’s Flag in 1989 for meritorious service.
• Bactrian camels are used for logistics along the Line of Actual Control.
• Zanskar ponies support patrol and supply roles in high-altitude regions.
• RVC traces its origins to 1779, making it one of the oldest Army Corps.

Operational And Humanitarian Contributions

The RVC has supported major operations including the World Wars, the Kargil conflict, and the Indian Peace Keeping Force mission in Sri Lanka. In recent years, it played key roles during floods in Wayanad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Beyond combat, the Corps contributes to military diplomacy, United Nations missions, and disaster relief, reinforcing the vital bond between soldiers and the animals that serve alongside them.